Ayahuasca - a short film

'Ayahuasca - a short film' is a poetic yet informative introduction to the Amazonian medicinal brew, ayahuasca.
The ceremony, held in Colombia, is presided over by Kajuyali Tsamani, an anthropologist and shaman of the Kofan tradition; Mama Luciano Mamatakan of the Kogi People, Colombia; and Dr Rosa Giove, a Western-trained...read more

'Ayahuasca - a short film' is a poetic yet informative introduction to the Amazonian medicinal brew, ayahuasca.

The ceremony, held in Colombia, is presided over by Kajuyali Tsamani, an anthropologist and shaman of the Kofan tradition; Mama Luciano Mamatakan of the Kogi People, Colombia; and Dr Rosa Giove, a Western-trained doctor from the 'Takiwasi Centre for the Rehabilitation of Drug-addicts', in Peru.

The film follows Duncan Parry as he joins his brother, Bruce (of the BBC's Tribe, Blizzard, Amazon & Arctic), to partake in an ayahuasca ceremony - Duncan's first ever experience of this kind.

Shaman Kajuyali and Dr Rosa offer some introductory words about the effects of the plant-based brew before we join Bruce, Duncan and their friends participate in the night-long ceremony of rattle, drum, song and noisy visits to the outdoor latrines.

The following morning we hear Duncan tell his brother about his profound connection to a 'oneness' which he had never experienced before, as well as the testimonies of Bruce's friend, Olivia, and that of Rafael Mazarrasa, the former chair of Spain '92, (the official Spanish representative to the Americas for the 500th anniversary of Colombus' arrival in the new world). Rafael describes a very difficult night of facing his mortality and the corresponding insight into the way his upbringing has disconnected him from his emotions and feelings.

In the final scene, we watch Duncan and Bruce cleanse in a waterfall to the poetic words of Kajuyali, who invites us all to take a moment to pause, connect to our environment and reorientate our path accordingly.

'Ayahuasca - a short film' is a deleted scene from the feature film, "Tawai, a voice from the forest", by Bruce Parry